(CNN) – Sen. Barack Obama on Wednesday said the terror in Sderot is “intolerable,” and praised the residents for their courage and resilience.

“I’m here to say that - as an American and as a friend of Israel - that we stand with the people of Sderot and with all the people of Israel,” Obama said.

Sderot is a southern Israeli town that has come under rocket attack from Palestinian militants in Gaza. Obama earlier toured a home that was damaged in one of the attacks.

“Israelis should not have to live endangered in their homes and schools. I’m hopeful that the recent understanding to end the attacks will provide some relief, but America must always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself against those who threaten its people,” he said.

Obama said he was “deeply committed” to helping Israelis achieve a lasting peace with Palestinians who are prepared to accept the state of Israel, renounce terrorism and abide by agreements.

“We must support Palestinian leaders who share this vision,” Obama said, calling attention to President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayad, both of whom he met with earlier.

Obama was joined in Sderot by Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, also toured the war-torn city when he visited the region in March.

soundoff(155 Responses)

austin

DANIEL COMES TO JUDGEMENT. ITS ALL GOOD. OBAMA 08.

July 23, 2008 11:41 am at 11:41 am |

Rick FL

I appreciate Obama's meeting with Palestinian and Israeli leaders on his trip. It demonstrates a willingness to support both groups towards peace. I pray an agreement can be achieved between the Israelis and Palestinians soon.

July 23, 2008 11:42 am at 11:42 am |

Walt, Belton,TX

Now he's a friend of Israel! Talk about the ultimate in flip-flops!!!!

July 23, 2008 11:43 am at 11:43 am |

Crush Rush

Obama must promise to prosecute and not pardon all crimes committed by the current administration or he will NOT get my vote.

July 23, 2008 11:44 am at 11:44 am |

gary

OH ITS THE CIRCUS CLOWN ,OH I MEAN MEDIA CLOWN. WHAT A BIG JOKE. GOD HELP OUR COUNTRY.

July 23, 2008 11:45 am at 11:45 am |

Stacy Clarks

GO OBAMA!! KEEP LOOKING GOOD ALL OVER THE WORLD, WHILE MCCAIN STUTTERS,. AND STAMMERS OVER HERE, MAKING GAFFES AFTER GAFFES!!

OBAMA 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

July 23, 2008 11:46 am at 11:46 am |

karen-phoenix

The man is brilliant!!! Even on such little sleep!!! I watched the whole question and answer press conference. He understands diplomacy in a way that will protect Americans. He is dedicated to peace in the middle east and will work immediately and not wait 4 years like Bush did.

July 23, 2008 11:46 am at 11:46 am |

proud army and navy mom

Sen Obama, you are doing an excellent job. The troops would be honored to have you lead them and represent the US as our next president.

July 23, 2008 11:47 am at 11:47 am |

California Gold

Love the footnote after thought, the oh yea.... by the way McCain went there too . ;-)

July 23, 2008 11:49 am at 11:49 am |

georgie

Just one question. Why did't you show the whole interview thismorning with Katie? the oart where she had to ask him a question 3 times and still couldn't get an answer from him? the one where he didn't know how to answer because he would have had to admit McCain was right all along. Instead you chose to give an answer that was pre-written for him so he could sound good. cnn has been going back and forth about the press going for obama, and you just proved it. I know now I have to watch fox to find out the truth. Come on guys, this is about the president of our country, not of some high school. The truth does matter. Maybe this is part of what has puma so ticked off!

July 23, 2008 11:50 am at 11:50 am |

Voter

Senator Obama, you will make a great world leader. Keep up the great job that you're doing.

July 23, 2008 11:52 am at 11:52 am |

Anonymous

The multi-headed beast has finally regained its equilibrium and has agreed to attack the good Senator Obama with non-stop requests for him to admit that the "surge" is the penultimate reason for "victory" in Iraq. The beast was knocked off balance when all of Barack Obama's foreign policy ideas have been proven to be correct. His trip is already a success even if he does nothing more. The glowing reviews and hope in the eyes of our troops and our foreign allies when seeing Obama have made the beast sick to its stomach and the panic button has been pushed. After goading Sen. Obama into making this trip, the McCain camp is on the verge of total meltdown. Sen. McCain has even gone so far as to accuse the Democratic nominee of treason. Meanwhile the beast has allied itself heart and soul to the McCain campaign and the preservation of a corrupt status quo. At every stop of his tour, a different head of the beast will attack Sen. Obama with "the surge" and continue to miseducate the public about the true description of a Commander-in-chief's duties. The beast can not admit its cowardice in the lead up to this disastrous war for oil and corporate greed because in the last few decades, the beast has become so intermingled that there is no discernible difference. The beast's next attack will be to say that Sen. Obama is attacking and hates our troops because he is not giving the "surge" the 100% credit that it believes it deserves. All other factors must be ignored and marginalized or as Sen. McCain did last night in his interview–lied about. The troops love Sen. Obama and they know that he doesn't want them to be mired in an endless police action of an imperialist colony. I pray everyday that the beast has underestimated the intelligence and goodness of the American people.

July 23, 2008 11:52 am at 11:52 am |

Rave

Good job Sir.. you are now a super star not only for most Americans, but for the entire world.
OBAMA (2008 -16)

July 23, 2008 11:52 am at 11:52 am |

Henry n New York

So, far Senator Obama has done everything right on his international tour to meet and great the leaders of the world. He has shown gratitude for the reception he has gotten from each and received praise in return. This reaction from those world leaders is noticeably different from Senator MCcain's trip. His was basically a cordial meeting out of courtesy. The world seems to have a better understanding of the type of leader it needs in a man that would be called the leader of the free world and its letting us know. By comparison the world fore warned us about the Bush administration and we as a majority didn't listen.

July 23, 2008 11:57 am at 11:57 am |

Slider

Ok, Obama, it's "intolerable".

Somehow, I don't think the Palestinians are as much a proponent of "Obamamania" as the idiot Euros and clueless leftists in our country so adequately display on a daily basis.

What will you say to our staunchest friend in that region, or do you intend to serve Isreal the same tasty pie that Jimmy Carter did to a previous ally?

GWB didn't create these conflicts; nor did he exacerbate them; they were there long before America existed, and if, by some horrible joke of fate, that you become President of this great country, that truth will come crashing down upon your Harvard educated head.

What will you say then, sirrah?

"uuuuummmmm, uh, that's not what I, ummmmmmm, hmmmmm"

Indeed.

July 23, 2008 11:59 am at 11:59 am |

Frieda

So, this is suppose to make us forget about his friends who are terrorists? Friends and donation monies transferred to the Palestinian Liberation Organization? It doesn't make us forget.

July 23, 2008 11:59 am at 11:59 am |

Independent Voter

Obama's playing with the big boys now, and what tired old over-used phrases he uses to register the required shock. He's "committed." So who isn't?

We need to support right-thinking Palestinians – right of the Bush playbook. In a moment of clarity, Bush early on recognized the need to accommodate Palestinian interest if we are ever to have peace in the region. Of course. Obama wouldn't acknowledge this; he's so naive he probably doesn't even know it!

He's trying to out-McCain MacCain. What a phony Obama is!

July 23, 2008 12:00 pm at 12:00 pm |

Phil, FL

Ha ha ha ha – CNN has fallen for "head fakes" on McWarmonger's VP 3 days in a row !!!

Only 2 more this week (hopefully) – fall for those also, CNN.

Ha ha ha ha ha

July 23, 2008 12:02 pm at 12:02 pm |

GrandMa

I wish sombody ask McCain’s to explain the meaning of the world “win in the war in Irag”. this was not even the war to go in any time we com out soon we are the winner . We do not need to loose more people to McCain’s war history all he knows about runing the country is the War . that is all he did and he does not care about us only war.

McCain’s always said we do not know who is Oboma know that the News showing Obama and his thinking , McCain’s wining about that . Newsis about policy that Obama talk about not about Wining that McCain’s does

July 23, 2008 12:03 pm at 12:03 pm |

Independent-woman-4-Obama

Well done, Sen. Obama! Well done. You are articulate and brilliant!

Of course, there will be attacks, fear-and-hate-mongering from the RNC, but MOST Americans watching Sen. Obama's trip and listening will see what we do, a man whom we can be PROUD of!

After 8 years of a president who could barely speak English, who was inarticulate.......... Sen. Obama, even with his "inexperience" is a breath of fresh air!

July 23, 2008 12:05 pm at 12:05 pm |

ERICA, Ohio

REALLY THEN WHY WAS HE A PAID DIRECTOR ON A BOARD FOR THE WOODS FUND FROM 1999-2001 WHICH HEY ODDLY ENOUGH IS THE SAME BOARD AMERICAN TERRORIST WILLIAM AYERS STILL SITS ON TO THIS DAY THAT GRANTS FUNDING TO THE AAAN OR THE PALESTINE CAUSE WITH RASHID KHALIDI THAT TO PUT IT IN THEIR WORDS "MOURNS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ISRAEL AS A CATASTROPHE" . RASHID KHALIDI SERVED AS DIRECTOR FROM 1976-1982 IN BEIRUT FOR THE PLO, A PERIOD DURING WHICH HIS GROUP COMMITTED SCORES ANTI-WESTERN ATTACKS AND WAS LABELED AS A TERROR GROUP BY THE U.S. THIS IS A FACT LOOK IT UP AND YOU WONDER WHY ISREALI'S AND JEWS DONT TRUST OBAMA? WAKE UP AMERICA! GET YOU HEADS OUT OF YOUR BUTTS!

July 23, 2008 12:11 pm at 12:11 pm |

Sweetie

What a bunch of nice empty words!

McCain 08

July 23, 2008 12:11 pm at 12:11 pm |

Connie

I think Bush should just resign now , save us the cost of the election and give Obama the oval office.This is what a President should look and sound like.It has been so long we almost forget what a President can be .Please Pray for those in the path of the Hurricane.Connie from Indiana

July 23, 2008 12:11 pm at 12:11 pm |

Bobby

As much as I want you to win, Obama, I think your commitment to Israel is not going to sway the Florida Jewish vote. :(

July 23, 2008 12:11 pm at 12:11 pm |

Texas Trail Dog!

HE DIDN'T SAY THAT TO THE LEADER OF PALESTINE WHEN HE HAD THE CHANCE. THE TWO-FACED SNAKE.